Scheduling for Newbie

I completed my first sprint distance triathlon this past October and I can't wait to get out there and do it again in 2005. I would like to move up to Olympic distance at some point in the year, but I also don't want to leap to it too quickly. Just looking for some recomendations as to how many sprints you would do before going to olympic distance and how many events in total to try to participate in, in a season. Also, is it a bad thing to schedule 2 events within 2 or 3 weeks?

Thanks for the input. I did not break 1:30, finished in 1:45, mainly because the swim crushed me. I really didn't train for the swim (only got in a pool twice before the race...a mistake I will not make again).

I did a sprint in June and hated it, did an olympic in early August and it was great. I didn't really alter my training that much. I would say that if you've continued training, that you should be able to go to olympic with no problem. That said, the swim for olympic is 2-3 times longer than it is for the sprint, so definately work on that part if it really crushed you on the sprint. On the weeks apart thing, I would say just don't do them back-to-back or try to race every one and you'll be fine.

Truth be known, Oly distance tri's are not that tough. I was a 30-something recreational runner and did an Oly distance tri on the spur of the moment. NO biking at all before the race and ONE 1/2 mile pool swim at the Y the week of the race (the day after I entered). I had a sore butt after the bike (borrowed ten-speed had the seat adjusted WAY to high! ) and my legs felt like rubber for the first mile of the run. Overall time was still right at three hours.

The point is to have fun. Run, swim, bike within yourself and just keep going. Different muscle groups are used in each event. Just have a good cardio-pulminary endurance base and you'll do just fine.

Others may disagree, but these races are fun and you will still be able to go to work the next day. I am not so blase about my marathon runs. I hurt for a while after those.